Matt Lowe is going home. He has been King's Academy football coach for the past five years, but before that he was a Panther. Lowe graduated from the school in 1995 and was football coach there from 2006-11.

On Tuesday, Principal Chad Smith announced Lowe's hiring as the new head coach.

"It's extremely exciting to return to a community and a school I'm extremely familiar with," Lowe said. "We have a long tradition there. My father graduated from Powell, me and my sisters graduated from Powell and my oldest daughter graduated from Powell."

Lowe and his family still live in Powell and he maintained many ties to the community after leaving as coach in 2011. In a way, this hiring has been six years in the making.

"Matt is one of us," Smith said as part of a statement. "As a graduate of Powell High School, Matt knows what it means to be a Powell Panther and we look forward to him instilling those values in our young men."

Smith also expressed excitement in welcoming Lowe home and confidence that he will use his "relentless work ethic and coaching ability to bring pride to all of the Panther Nation."

In the past five seasons, Lowe has posted a 30-25 record with King's Academy, twice leading the Lions to eight-win seasons.

In his first tenure as Powell coach, Lowe had a 49-23 record, including two undefeated regular seasons. The Panthers made the playoffs every season under Lowe, including two district titles and a trip to the 2011 state championship game.

After 2011, Lowe decided to step back "and be a dad and a husband" to his wife Stacy and their then-two, now-three daughters. It didn't last long before he got the itch to get back into football. He took the job at King's Academy a year later.

The Powell athletic director, also named Chad Smith, served as an assistant on that 2011 run, the best in school history. He cited Lowe's intangibles, including a passion for the game and for growing young men.

"I couldn't be more excited for this community, this school, and this football program," the AD said in a statement. "Coach Lowe's return is a result of timing and fit, and we are grateful to have him back at Powell."

Lowe and the AD spoke last week, an easy conversation between old friends, about his potential return to Powell. Lowe then filled out an application and here he is.

Lowe will continue his responsibilities as athletic director and physical education teacher at King's Academy through the end of the year, but he expects former AD and current softball coach Marc Weekly and headmaster Walter Grubb will lead the effort to hire a new football coach.

Members of the Clinton High School Color Guard gather before the start of the game at Powell High School on Friday, September 15, 2017. The color guard as character out of King Kong. SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL

Powell High School Majorettes, from left, Kaitlyn Strunk, Rebekah Malone, Lauran Brand, Anna Sellers, and
Callie Hedrick practice before the start of the game against Clinton on Friday, September 15, 2017. SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL